After much soul searching and discussion earlier in the year, the executive committee of ERA took the view that we should de-register as a political party. This proposal was voted on at the recent AGM, the motion was carried, and this will now take effect from the end of October 2011. This decision was not taken lightly, because ERA wants (and England needs) political change, and this can only be achieved via the ballot box. ERA have never been interested in holding political power for its own sake, only for the opportunity to make the radical changes England must undergo to be an independent, prosperous and peaceful neighbour in the world community.

It had become obvious to us that as a small party in an already crowded market, we were outgunned trying to compete head-on against the “big beasts” in the jungle - the Tories, and Labour. But the aspect which clinched our decision, was the growing realisation that we were trying to become what we most despised – a large national party. These organisations have been the ruination of England, of Britain, and the rest of the so called “democratic” world: because time after time, powerful members of large, unaccountable national parties put their own survival and interests ahead of all other considerations – even those of their nation.

The question is, what is the alternative to the present national party system? The public's general apathy towards political matters, though frustrating, is perhaps understandable – under the present “LibLabCon” cartel, one of those parties will receive the most votes and form the next government, the ruthless megalomaniac/sociopath who leads them will become Prime Minister, and his/her ministerial team will consist largely of tokens, spivs or yes-men not fit to run a bath, never mind a ministry!

DON'T VOTE BIG -
So in our view, the best alternative to the party system, is to destroy it and not replace it. How do we do that? By not doing something. By persuading the general public to boycott all national parties at the ballot box. National parties do not deserve the blind voter loyalty they currently enjoy in many areas, and we consider it very unlikely that granddad will come back and haunt you for not voting as he did. If the public would just stop feeding national parties with votes, these parasites would be starved of sustenance and dead within weeks of a general election.

Few but the elites - who in turn, feed on them - would mourn their passing.

VOTE LOCAL!
We are not saying don't vote: it will not be enough to simply withhold support from the national parties – the public must instead start supporting local parties and independent candidates. These are the people who will fill the power vacuum created by the death of one or more large national parties. Whether they are affiliated to each other in any way is not important – what is important is that they are not subject to a party whip, and therefore free to serve their own constituents interests.

Another aspect to consider - independent candidates are usually mature people with experience and life skills, whereas many national party candidates are young, inexperienced, fresh out of Uni and “parachuted” into safe seats by London based grandees ahead of local activists, whose only loyalty is to the old men who put them there – reading it that way, who would you prefer to represent you at Westminster?

So ERA's post-party strategy is one that has at its core the ambition to get ordinary people “doing” politics again, because they will see a direct benefit for their involvement. It is no use millions of individuals simply grumbling about the British government: but get those millions pulling together in the same direction – whether it be boycotting and actively voting against national parties at local and general elections, demanding a referendum on EU membership, or a written constitution – then, you will make your voices heard.

Our existing and future members have a key role to play in this strategy: by being visible beacons of the only credible alternative to the present cartel of failed national parties - English Radicalism.
This can be done in numerous ways, from contacting the media about issues of concern and offering an English Radical view, delivering leaflets occasionally, being part of local ERA groups where there are sufficient numbers, being involved with local organisations, making contact with locally based parties or independent candidates at election time and offering support – or even running as the local candidate, using an ERA manifesto.

CHARTISM, BACKED BY A CITIZENS/VOTERS UNION
The British government consider themselves to be our masters, and we their servants. So just as trade unions were set up many years ago to demand better conditions for their members, the English Radicals believe that the time is right to resurrect the concept of Chartism – a list of demands by the English people that the British government be forced to listen to – and a mass “citizens/voters union” be initiated to back it up, unaligned to any national party. We feel that such a union would be a natural sister organisation for ERA, who we would be happy to help in the drafting of their charter – ERA's “Ten Aims" would seem to be a good starting point - and one we would encourage our supporters and members to get closely involved with running. We welcome members and readers thoughts on developing this concept further.

So to those sceptics who thought ERA were opting for retirement by dropping out of party politics – we think the ideas laid out above lay that notion to rest. And to the casual readers of our website who dip into our ramblings from time to time and nod approvingly – we say, what have you got to lose by joining us? Get on board, all we need are numbers to bring about the radical change that nobody else is offering to you. “Supporter” membership of ERA is now free for life, and for those wanting a deeper involvement with ERA activities, full voting membership is available after twelve months at supporter level for an annual subscription of £10. Come on in, you're very welcome!




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